There are many theories as to how the Zombie Apocalypse will begin. One idea is that there will be some kind of outbreak and the nations' governments won't be able to keep up. As realistic as this may sound, it's highly improbable. You see, our military and those around the world prepare every day for any possible scenario. The idea that our military wouldn't be able to stop the outbreak before it gets out of control is absurd.
What I predict for the coming Zombie Apocalypse is a purge. The governments of the world are well aware of the growing hostility to their power and authority. They're going to want to develop some sort of contingency that will show the world just how badly we need them. In the beginning, our world leaders will be lead away to a safe post which every nation has in case of an emergency. There's a plan for every type of Doomsday Scenario in which The President and the joint Chiefs as well as Congress and the Justices would be safe during Doomsday.
In the US we have what is codenamed the E-4B, or the Doomsday Plane. This plane is regularly maintained and drills are ran daily to ensure key heads of state survive. The E-4B's can travel 620 mph and are capable of remaining airborne for days at a time before refueling and in case of emergency refueling before Doomsday is void, it is capable of refueling mid-flight. The plane can carry 410,000 lbs (185,973 kilograms)of fuel and acts as a mobile command center for the President during Doomsday.
During this time, The President is the last head of state to enter the Alternative Underground Command Posts which are located in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Virginia (two), and West Virginia. The President and joint chiefs of staff will more than likely set down at "Site R" aka Alternate National Military Command Center (ANMCC). Site R is located in Raven Rock Mountain, in Pennsylvania about 6 miles north of Camp David; which as we all know is the President's main vacation spot. For security reasons to ensure the continuation of government, the three branches of Govt. will be split up with the President, his family and the joint chiefs of staff occupying Site R.
The members of Congress will also be split up between Senators and Representatives at 2 locations. The 2 groups will more than likely take shelter in the NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex located in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado and High Point Special Facility located in Mount Weather: Berryville, Virginia. Finally, The Supreme Court Justices will be moved to either Mount Pony: Culpeper, Virginia or The Greenbrier (Casper): White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The three branches of government will immobilize all military personnel to protect those bases while leaving each state's National Guard to protect that state's government.
There will be no warning initiated to the American people. Once all three branches of government are safe, a call will be made to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA. That call will inform the military personnel at the CDC to release the outbreak and go into lock down. All of this will be done in secret as to not ignite panic until it's too late. More than likely, the virus will be a mutated strand of Rabies and Mad Cow disease and HIV. By mutated these 3 viruses together, the HIV could be used as a life support system against the other 2 viruses. It's already been proven that Aids can be mutated to destroy cancer rather than white blood cells, so why not mutate it even further to destroy other cells in the human body. By combining Mad Cow Disease and Rabies, the 2 viruses would battle each other while giving the carrier all the signs and symptoms of both viruses while the HIV keeps the carrier alive in a sense for longer than both viruses allow.
The "Z Virus" will take hold almost instantly by releasing the carriers into well populated areas such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, St Louis, and Miami. The virus will be transmitted via bite, scratch or eating infected food. The latter will more than likely be the main source. As the virus spreads through the states, panic will ensue for at least the first 48 hours. During this time, the majority of people will make every attempt to get to these larger cities believing them to be safe zones. During this first 48 hours, traffic jams will ensue causing even greater panic and attacks.
It's during this time when you the informed should remain in your homes or shelter and protect yourselves and families. After the first 48 hours is up, make an immediate run for food, medical supplies and weapons. While on the initial run, keep an eye out for larger vehicles and abandoned buildings that would make better shelters.
Reasons why to wait 48 hours before scavenging.
1. It takes 12 hours for rigor mortis to set in completely. What this means is that the muscles begin to tighten around 3 hours after death and the body becomes completely stiff at around 12 hours after death. 72 hours after death, Rigor Mortis disappears completely. You see, during the first few hours of infection a zombie would be as fast if not faster than a normal human being ie. running etc. After 12 hours they become slow like the zombies we see on such shows as "The Walking Dead". After 72 hours, rigor mortis may be gone, however the Zombie brain doesn't receive the signals that says it's ok to move faster now, so they'll remain rather slow moving.
2. After 48 hours, the majority of people caught in the traffic jams will either be turned or dead, so you can just drive through or around any blockage without fighting through other people trying to scavenge.
3. The zombies will more than likely be lead away by the victims who first tried to escape the outbreak. Sure there may be a few stragglers that try to eat you, but they'll be slow and easy to kill or escape from.
4. The majority of supplies will be found outside the stores, left by early victims who thought they'd try and get a jump on the good stuff. It'll be like an all you can carry shopping spree.
The best places to keep an eye out for while scavenging, are ones with chain link fences, solar panels and bars on windows. Your best bet would be a two story farm house in which you can destroy the stairs and create a make shift ladder. Remember to keep an eye out for solar panels especially, these can be disconnected and transported to another location that's easier to protect.
As far as vehicles are concerned, keep an eye out for SUV's, Box trucks, vans, school buses, and semis. These vehicles can carry a lot of people as well as a lot of supplies; they can also be easily converted into Zombie crushing war machines.
Remember, during the first 48 hours of the outbreak ordinary house hold objects and tools can be used as or converted into weapons for use against the undead. Below, you'll find a list I've put together.
knives, rakes, shovels, baseball bats, forks, axes, machetes, pipes, hammers, screw drivers, table legs, sling shots, chains, scissors, broken glass, 2x4's, metal garbage can lids, extension chords, rope, nails, spikes, pots and pans, saws, etc.
Remember, anything can be converted into a weapon it just takes some imagination. When battling legions of undead, make sure your always wearing jeans and leather; both materials will protect you in case of bite or scratch and even slow down an attack from other humans.
The first year will be the hardest, but it will also make people desperate for government intervention. For years, people have talked about smaller government but that would be the exact reason the government would initiate the "Z Virus". Smaller Government to create smaller nations and fewer people to answer too. The Government will probably allow this to continue for at least 3-5 years before intervention.
Of course, during the 3-5 years during Zombiegeddon many from the 3 branches of government will die from age or illness, however those who remain will launch a full scale attack on the undead via air strikes and tanks. They'll make an attempt to bring as many survivors as possible into safe zones which would take up to 1 year in order to appear to make an effort. After this initial destruction phase, all weapons will be deployed to end the threat with the exception of nuclear warheads. I estimate roughly 2 years of non stop attacks by military force will wipe out the infected. That brings us to 8-10 years after Z Day that America would be re-established. During the rebuilding phase, the first nation to complete rebuilding will be the #1 super power of the world and will have a strong capability of overthrowing the United States.
There of course will be several renegade groups left across the world which will either fight the re-establishment of society or try and gain control ie. "Revolution".